This could possibly be one of the weirdest occurances ever. After 25
years and 37 albums, Jandek has finally performed in public. For images
and some links, see the best Jandek site at
tisue.net/jandek. Perhaps this might have something to do with his last album, titled
The End Of It All. David Keenan, author of
England's Hidden Reverse, who had a role in organizing the Instal.04 festvial reports the following:
I didn't get to speak to him, no one did except my friend Barry
Esson who curated the fest and Richard Youngs and Alex Neilson who
played with him. He never once said he was Jandek, just a rep of
Corwood Industries. Said to Alex afterwards that the live show was the
first time he had ever felt truly alive. Smiled on stage once. Looked
very emaciated. Apparently in rehearsal he told the group he had three
types of songs and he would signal by the way he played guitar what
type each one was, either Blues, Ballad or Brutal(!). He had been in
Glasgow for a week, flew over on his own money so that he was under no
obligation to play if he didn't feel like it. The venue was emptied
while he practiced and no one was allowed to announce he was playing or
he would pull the show. I knew he was thinking about doing it for a
while and finally over the last few days realised it was happening but
was unable to tell anyone. Heather and I have about 70 pics of him in
all. The concert was filmed, with Jandek having the option of releasing
it as a DVD on Corwood. Everyone here is still in a daze, can't believe
it happened, the concert was everything you could've hoped from a
Jandek show, crazy heavy Velvets spiked blues guitar, Richard playing
Holger-Czukay style bass throbs, Alex playing heavy and free and that
fucking voice sounded like it was straight from the void, set of
blasted blues, Haino said afterwards "Jandek *is* the blues." Jandek
looked like he was realy enjoying it and pulled a few good shapes too,
never said one thing though, took his time packing his guitar but no
one approached him and he left the venue as abruptly as he had arrived.
All the songs were of heartbreak and abandon, few funny lines too, like
when he suddenly exploded "I made the decision to get real wild!" and
everyone began screaming. Apparently he loved the screams, looks likely
that he will play live again and the next time he will announce it.
Anyway, still trying to piece it all together. Who could've thunk it?